Daily Current Affairs 21st November 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation

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This post contains the daily current affairs 21st November 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related to Current Affairs 21st November 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these Current Affairs, we would recommend you to try 21st November, 2025 Current affairs test.

International News

India’s Basmati Rice GI Protection Faces Global Legal Setback

• India’s push to secure Geographical Indication (GI) protection for Basmati rice under the WTO TRIPS framework encountered a hurdle as courts in New Zealand and Kenya rejected India’s plea.
• The petition filed by APEDA argued that Article 22 of TRIPS obliges countries to safeguard products from misleading labeling—especially Basmati, which is exclusively cultivated in India’s Indo-Gangetic plains.
• However, both courts held that TRIPS provisions are not automatically enforceable and must be implemented via domestic laws such as:
  • New Zealand’s Fair Trading Act, 1986
  • Kenya’s Trade Marks Act
• This ruling raises concerns regarding brand dilution, weakened market exclusivity, and challenges in preventing misuse of the “Basmati” name by foreign sellers.
• The verdict underlines the complexities of securing GI protection in diverse legal systems worldwide.

Saudi Arabia Recognized as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) by the US

• In November 2025, the United States granted MNNA status to Saudi Arabia, significantly expanding defense cooperation between the two countries.
• The designation enables the sale of advanced military technology, including:
  • F-35 fighter jets
  • Nearly 300 U.S. tanks
  • Broader collaboration in military manufacturing
• Additional agreements were signed in:
  • Civil nuclear energy
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Critical mineral development
• Although MNNA status does not guarantee mutual defense, it strengthens Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance and reshapes power equations in the Middle East.

Business News

HDFC Bank Regains Title as India’s Most Valuable Brand in 2025

• HDFC Bank once again topped the Kantar BrandZ rankings, with a brand valuation of $44.9 billion, driven by:
  • Strong post-merger integration
  • Deepened digital banking capabilities
  • Robust consumer trust
• TCS slipped to second place amid slower brand growth.
• Zomato emerged as the fastest-growing Indian brand for the second consecutive year, doubling its valuation due to:
  • Diversification of offerings
  • High connect with younger demographics
• New brands such as UltraTech Cement, Westside, and Zudio entered the list, reflecting rapid shifts within India’s brand ecosystem.

Tesla to Launch Its First India Tesla Centre in Gurugram

• On 26 November 2025, Tesla will inaugurate its first full-service Tesla Centre in Gurugram, marking a significant step after its entry into India as the 50th global market.
• The centre will function as:
  • A sales hub
  • A delivery facility
  • A repair and servicing centre
• Led by Sharad Agarwal, Tesla aims to strengthen its footprint in the premium EV market despite challenges like high import duties and pricing.
• Additional centres may open in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune as expansion continues.

Demat Accounts Cross 21 Crore Amid IPO Boom

• India reached a new milestone in October 2025, with demat accounts exceeding 21 crore, propelled by:
  • A record number of IPOs (Tata Capital, LG Electronics, WeWork India)
  • A bullish market (Sensex +3%, BSE MidCap +4%)
  • Rising participation of first-time retail investors, especially Millennials and Gen Z
• Despite the surge, overall active trading levels remain moderate, underscoring the ongoing need for investor education and responsible financial decision-making.

Awards News

Michelle Bachelet Receives Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

• Michelle Bachelet, former Chilean President and ex-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024 on 20 November 2025 in New Delhi.
• She was recognized for decades of work in promoting:
  • Human rights and civil liberties
  • Gender equality
  • Global justice and democratic governance
• Her achievements include:
  • Founding Chile’s Ministry of Women and Gender Equality
  • Expanding LGBTQ+ rights
  • Leading UN Women
• The prize was presented by Sonia Gandhi, acknowledging her global contributions to peace and development.

Leonardo DiCaprio to Be Honoured with Desert Palm Achievement Award

• At the 2026 Palm Springs International Film Festival, Leonardo DiCaprio will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award (Actor) on 3 January 2026.
• He is being celebrated for his powerful performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another.
• Critics have praised the role for its emotional depth, adding to his legacy built through iconic films like Inception and The Revenant.
• He joins fellow honourees Michael B. Jordan and Adam Sandler, signalling potential momentum for the upcoming awards season.

Defense News

Indian Army Secures IPR for New Digital Combat Coat

• The Indian Army has obtained Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for its newly designed Digital Print Combat Coat, a major step in defence modernization.
• Developed by NIFT under the Army Design Bureau, the design is registered under Application No. 449667-001.
• The ensemble includes:
  • A digital-print outer coat
  • An insulated interior jacket
  • A thermal base layer
• It enhances:
  • Mobility
  • Protection
  • Thermal comfort across varied terrains
• The IPR ensures protection of both design and camouflage patterns, preventing unauthorized duplication and promoting self-reliance in defence clothing.

Summits & Conferences News

Earth Summit 2025-26 Launched to Boost Rural Innovation

• The inaugural Earth Summit 2025-26 will be held in Hyderabad (Nov 20–21, 2025), followed by sessions in:
  • Gandhinagar (Dec 5–6, 2025)
  • New Delhi (Feb 2026)
• Organized by NABARD and IAMAI, the summit revolves around the theme “Empowering Rural Innovation for Global Change.”
• It aims to accelerate rural development by integrating:
  • Digital agriculture
  • Fintech-enabled credit access
  • Climate-smart farming
  • Renewable energy systems
  • Circular economic models
  • Women-led entrepreneurship
• Key initiatives include:
  • Smart farming tools
  • Green financing innovations
  • Decentralised energy solutions
  • Tech-driven inclusion for FPOs, startups, and rural enterprises

Science & Technology News

India’s First Commercial PSLV to Launch Oceansat in 2026

• India’s first commercially built PSLV, manufactured entirely by the HAL–L&T consortium, is prepared to launch the Oceansat satellite in early 2026.
• This development stems from a 2022 NSIL contract, under which HAL and L&T completed an end-to-end build of the PSLV-XL model with ISRO’s guidance.
• The achievement highlights:
  • India’s growing NewSpace manufacturing ecosystem
  • Enhanced private-sector capability to build complex launch vehicles
  • ISRO’s increased bandwidth to focus on R&D and advanced space missions
• The milestone signals a major evolution in India’s commercial space sector.

Important Days

World Television Day 2025 – Observed on 21 November

• Observed annually on 21 November, World Television Day acknowledges the medium’s powerful role in shaping public awareness and global discourse.
• The UN General Assembly created the observance to honour TV as a medium capable of:
  • Highlighting conflicts
  • Raising awareness on peace and security
  • Addressing global economic and social challenges
• In 1927, inventor Philo Taylor Farnsworth developed the world’s first electronic TV at age 21.
• The first World Television Forum was held on 21–22 November 1996, where global leaders recognized TV’s influence on public opinion.
• The day celebrates television not as just a device, but as a symbol of global communication and shared information.

National News

Nitish Kumar Takes Oath as Bihar CM for a Historic 10th Term

• On 20 November 2025, Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar’s Chief Minister for the 10th consecutive term, marking an unprecedented milestone.
• The ceremony took place at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, presided over by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
• A total of 27 ministers were inducted:
  • 14 BJP
  • 8 JD(U)
  • 2 LJP (RV)
  • 1 HAM(S)
  • 1 RLM
• The NDA achieved a sweeping victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, winning 202 out of 243 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan secured only 35 seats.
• Seat distribution within NDA:
  • BJP – 89
  • JD(U) – 85
  • LJP(RV) – 19
  • HAM – 5
  • RLM – 4
• BJP leaders Vinay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers, indicating a strengthened BJP role within the coalition.

Government of India Launches ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ Course

• The Government launched a free national online AI literacy course, ‘YUVA Artificial Intelligence (AI) for ALL’, aimed at training 1 crore citizens.
• Announced by MeitY under the IndiaAI Mission, the initiative focuses on AI inclusivity and expanding India’s digital capabilities.
• The 5-hour, self-paced program uses:
  • Simple explanations
  • Real-life Indian examples
  • Beginner-friendly case studies
• Available free on platforms like:
  • FutureSkills Prime
  • iGOT Karmayogi
  • Other major ed-tech portals
• Learners receive an official Government of India certificate upon completion.
• The six modules cover:
  • Basics of AI and its functioning
  • Impact on jobs, creativity, and education
  • Ethical and responsible AI use
  • Indian applications of AI
  • AI tools overview
  • Future AI opportunities
• Content is developed by Jaspreet Bindra, Founder of AI & Beyond.
• Schools, colleges, and companies may collaborate with IndiaAI to integrate and promote the curriculum.

UNICEF × IFFI Showcase: Five Films Celebrating Childhood

• At the 56th International Film Festival of India (Goa, Nov 20–28, 2025), UNICEF and IFFI jointly presented “Five Films, One Universal Story.”
• The featured films originate from India, Kosovo, South Korea, and Egypt, spotlighting themes of childhood imagination, resilience, and rights.
• The collaboration, active since 2022, highlights narratives surrounding:
  • Mental well-being
  • Equity and inclusion
  • Education access
  • Post-conflict recovery
• It emphasizes cinema’s role in global advocacy and giving children a voice across cultures.

India Post Opens Gen Z-Focused Campus Outlet at IIT Delhi

• India Post inaugurated its first Gen Z-centric campus post office at IIT Delhi, incorporating:
  • Digital-first features
  • Student-conceptualized interiors
  • QR-enabled parcel booking
  • A student franchise system encouraging entrepreneurship
• The launch is part of a plan to modernize 46 campus post offices nationwide by December 2025.
• The initiative aligns with:
  • Digital India
  • Skill India
  • Sustainable postal operations
• The goal is to make postal services more relevant, tech-driven, and appealing to younger users.

CAG Announces Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit in Hyderabad

• On 19 November 2025, the CAG of India announced a Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit in Hyderabad.
• The centre aims to transform India’s audit ecosystem by:
  • Adopting global best practices
  • Strengthening research and training
  • Standardizing methodologies for high-quality audits
• It will incorporate AI-based analytics, shifting from traditional sample checks to full-dataset auditing.
• ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) principles will be integrated into audit frameworks, promoting sustainability-aligned financial assessment.
• This marks a major step toward technologically advanced, evidence-driven auditing across government systems.